Growing Greener Project To Improve Little Shamokin Creek Watershed In Northumberland

A Growing Greener grant for $195,153 will enable the Northumberland County Conservation District to undertake three projects along the Little ShamokinCreek Watershed to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff.  
            Sen. John R. Gordner (R-Columbia) presented the Conservation District with the grant last week.  He was accompanied by Representatives Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland) and Kurt Masser (R-Columbia).
            Little Shamokin Creek is listed by the Department of Environmental Protection as impaired due to siltation and nutrient runoff, partly caused by nearby beef and pork farms.  Senator Gordner said the Growing Greener Grant will enable the Conservation District to implement best management practices at three farms to reduce the nonpoint pollution.
            "Improved manure storage, stream bank fencing, planting of additional vegetation along the banks of the creek and improved stream crossings will reduce nutrients entering the watershed and help improve bank erosion," said Sen. Gordner.  "These improved conservation techniques will assist the farmers and improve the watershed."
            Growing Greener, authorized by the General Assembly in 1999, provides funding for watershed restoration and abandoned mine reclamation through the Department of Environmental Protection, farmland preservation projects through the Department of Agriculture, State Park improvements through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and water and sewer system improvements through PennVEST.


4/23/2012

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